Stuart, A Life Backwards

BBC2, Sunday 23 September at 9pm

When Stuart Shorter, a homeless alcoholic who has facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSH), meets writer and charity worker Alexander Masters, they strike up an unlikely friendship. As Alexander learns more about Stuart’s complicated life and traumatic childhood he marvels at Stuart’s resilient personality and dry sense of humour.

Having agreed to Alexander’s suggestion that he write his biography, Stuart gradually recounts his life story in reverse. Through post-office heists, attempts at suicide and spells inside numerous institutions, Alexander begins to understand how Stuart's life spiralled so badly out of control…

During the filming of this TV adaptation the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign helped Tom Hardy (who stars as Stuart) understand how FSH affects day-to-day life by putting him in touch with a clinician, Dr Rackowitz from Charing Cross Hospital.

Cast: Tom Hardy (The Virgin Queen; Black Hawk Down) stars as Stuart Shorter alongside Benedict Cumberbatch (Hawking; Atonement) as Alexander Masters in the 90 minute film. Directed by David Attwood (To the Ends of the Earth), produced by Pippa Harris (Starter For Ten), executive produced by Sam Mendes and Tara Cook, and adapted for the screen from his award-winning memoir by Alexander Masters.